The Encana Novice Raptors had a dominating weekend sweeping Carstairs on their way to the second round of the playoffs.
    The Raptors hosted Carstairs Saturday Morning, February 25, and cruised to an 8-3 victory. Chase Mackey had three goals and an assist, Paxton Olsen had two goals, Tyson Chambers had two assists and Brandon Williams and Carter Drouin each had assists.
    The Raptors followed this performance up the next day in Carstairs with another 8-3 win. This time Mackey had a hat trick, Dalin Hannah had one goal and three assists, Schrock had two goals, Seth Leavitt and Maddux Pears each had a goal and Kayden Bitz, Chambers, Paxton Olsen and Cooper Olsen all had assists.
    Coach Ryan Bitz said the team has been improving on defense.
    “It has been a good run so far,” said Bitz. “Especially our defense, has really played well for us in the last couple weeks.”
16 goals in two games also shows pretty good offense.
    “Good defense creates good offense. We have never been shy of getting goals, the boys are always contributing and it is getting spread around quite nicely,” said Bitz. “The boys are playing really good together.
    With this win, the team advances to play Airdrie, which has been tough all year.
    “With Airdrie, you have to win the battles along boards with those guys, they are a tough little team, and the have a whole extra line, so they will skate hard all the time,” said Bitz. “We have always had really good games with them, every time we play them it could go either way. We are hoping it is a great series.”
    The Raptors head to Airdrie Saturday to start the second round.

There has been an outpouring of support on social media for one of Drumheller’s doctors after the reports that he is no longer practicing at the Drumheller Associated Physician Clinic.

The report began to circulate on social media around midnight on Friday morning that Dr. Rithesh Ram, whose practice is relatively new to the valley, is no longer a member of the local clinic. There has been massive engagement from Drumheller residents, mostly in support of the doctor.

Dr. Ram tells the Mail,” At this time, I am not denying it.”

Dr. Ram has been in the spotlight recently for instigating a survey to learn more about Drumheller residents’ experience with the health care system and to understand the needs in the community.

He tells The Mail that in the short term he intends to still see patients at the Associated Physician Clinic and is in the process of setting up a new location for a new clinic.

Dr. Ram graduated from the University of Calgary with a joint MD- Ph.D. degree from the Leaders in Medicine - Epidemiology program. He was the recipient of the 2013 Award for Young Leaders from the Canadian Medical Association.

To fill out Dr.Ram’s survey go to http://www.drumhellerhealth.ca/